HOW ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE COULD SUPPORT PAIN RELIEF

The information provided on this site is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult a healthcare professional for medical advice, diagnosis and treatment.

Pain medications can play a large role in relieving pain, but did you know that adding alternative medicine to your treatment plan can expand your arsenal in the fight against pain? A growing body of research shows that alternative medicine can help manage painful conditions from back and neck pain to headaches and arthritis.

Here’s what to know about alternative medicine and how it could help you get back to living your life fully — without having to fight through pain.

 

WHAT IS ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE?

Alternative medicine can refer to many different medical or health care practices with origins outside mainstream medicine. It goes by a few different names: supportive therapies, integrative medicine, holistic therapy and CAM (short for complementary and alternative medicine).

Many alternative medicine approaches have a long history, with some dating back to ancient Eastern practices. While all kinds of anecdotal evidence supports alternative medicine, researchers are now looking into how these practices affect the body and aid chronic pain management.

 

ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE OPTIONS TO CONSIDER

When you start researching supportive therapies, keep in mind that what works for one person might not work for another. It may take some trial and error to figure out which therapy or therapies work best for your type of pain.

Many kinds of alternative medicine are offered at pain management centers across the United States. Ask your doctor to help you find a center or refer you to a specialist. And always consult your doctor before beginning any treatment.

CHIROPRACTIC CARE

About 35 million Americans seek chiropractic care each year, many of whom are looking for an alternative way to relieve back pain, joint pain, headaches and other types of pain. Studies support spinal manipulation as a way to reduce pain and improve function from neck pain, and preliminary evidence suggests it can also be helpful in reducing the frequency and intensity of headaches and migraines.

Chiropractors use manipulation — or adjustments — and other methods to correct alignment problems in the spine or other areas of the body, improve functioning, promote natural healing and alleviate pain. To perform a manipulation, the chiropractor uses their hands or a device to apply rapid, controlled force to the spine or another area of the body.

A typical treatment plan under chiropractic care may involve one or more manipulations, exercise, rehabilitation, nutritional counseling, heat and ice, and relaxation exercises.

Person laying down getting back adjustment

MASSAGE

One of the alternative medicine techniques most recommended by physicians, massage has benefits like managing pain, increasing relaxation, supporting emotional well-being and aiding the healing process. Studies suggest massage may help with chronic pain, neck pain, acute low-back pain, osteoarthritis, migraines, tension headaches and fibromyalgia, though it is not currently recommended for chronic lower back pain or osteoarthritis in the hip or knee.

At a massage appointment, a trained massage therapist manually manipulates the soft tissue, rubbing and kneading the body with their hands and applying light or heavy pressure to joints and muscles to help relieve tension and pain. If you’re considering massage therapy, ask your doctor if they can recommend massage practitioners with experience working with your specific type of pain.

Person getting back massage

 

RELAXATION TECHNIQUES

Relaxation techniques are any practice aiming to activate the body’s natural relaxation response of slower breathing, lower blood pressure and a sensation of calm and well-being. Some of the more common types of relaxation techniques include:

Guided imagery icon
GUIDED IMAGERY

Sometimes called visualization or guided meditation, guided imagery involves imagining peaceful memories, scenarios or images to focus attention away from pain.

GUIDED IMAGERY

Sometimes called visualization or guided meditation, guided imagery involves imagining peaceful memories, scenarios or images to focus attention away from pain.

Progressive muscle relaxation icon
PROGRESSIVE MUSCLE RELAXATION 

This technique — which may be especially useful for back pain — involves concentrating on tensing and relaxing different muscle groups, sometimes paired with mental imagery or breathing exercises.

PROGRESSIVE MUSCLE RELAXATION 

This technique — which may be especially useful for back pain — involves concentrating on tensing and relaxing different muscle groups, sometimes paired with mental imagery or breathing exercises.

Biofeedback icon
BIOFEEDBACK 

Biofeedback therapy uses electronic devices to help people learn to intentionally control some body functions, such as heart rate or breathing. Research shows some types of biofeedback may help improve lower back pain and tension headaches.

BIOFEEDBACK 

Biofeedback therapy uses electronic devices to help people learn to intentionally control some body functions, such as heart rate or breathing. Research shows some types of biofeedback may help improve lower back pain and tension headaches.

Hypnosis icon
HYPNOSIS 

During hypnosis, you enter a state of relaxed, focused consciousness — either through self-hypnosis or sessions with a trained hypnotist or hypnotherapist — accompanied by lowered peripheral awareness and increased responsiveness to suggestion. Some studies show that hypnosis for chronic pain can help decrease pain, as long as you participate in at least eight sessions.

HYPNOSIS 

During hypnosis, you enter a state of relaxed, focused consciousness — either through self-hypnosis or sessions with a trained hypnotist or hypnotherapist — accompanied by lowered peripheral awareness and increased responsiveness to suggestion. Some studies show that hypnosis for chronic pain can help decrease pain, as long as you participate in at least eight sessions.

Meditation icon
MEDITATION 

Meditating is completely focusing on the present moment, which can enhance cognitive control, emotional regulation, positive mood and acceptance. Meditation has been found to significantly reduce pain in both clinical and experimental settings, with some reporting reduced pain intensity after just one week of meditation.

MEDITATION 

Meditating is completely focusing on the present moment, which can enhance cognitive control, emotional regulation, positive mood and acceptance. Meditation has been found to significantly reduce pain in both clinical and experimental settings, with some reporting reduced pain intensity after just one week of meditation.

YOGA

Many pain sufferers find yoga effective for relieving pain. The three aspects of yoga — breathing, relaxation and meditation — help keep your mind off pain, lower your tension in response to pain and help you move beyond the pain. The physical poses of yoga also help relax your muscles. Plus, some research shows that certain yoga poses help ease specific types of pain, such as neck pain, tension headaches and osteoporosis.

Person doing yoga massage

TAI CHI

Tai chi — a practice combining meditation, slow movements, relaxation and deep breathing — originated in China as a martial art. The exercise has shown some benefit for chronic pain and may help decrease pain intensity and improve everyday function for people with lower back pain. Tai chi is also recommended for osteoarthritis, with some study participants reporting improved physical function and balance, and decreased pain and stiffness.

You may be able to find tai chi classes near you at local fitness centers or tai chi studios, and videos are available online. There are a variety of styles and motions to choose from, all gentle and slow, which makes tai chi a great choice for any fitness level.

Person doing tai chi massage

AROMATHERAPY

Aromatherapy is the use of essential plant oils to promote psychological and physical well-being. There is a growing body of evidence to suggest that aromatherapy can have positive effects on mood, alertness, stress and pain management by stimulating the brain’s limbic system. Eucalyptus, geranium, lavender, peppermint and chamomile essential oils can be good options to explore for pain relief.

Aromatherapy can be administered in a variety of ways:

  • A room diffuser
  • Direct inhalation with an inhaler
  • Soaking gauze and placing it nearby
  • Massage
Person smelling essential oil

ACUPUNCTURE

Acupuncture stimulates specific parts of the body, typically by inserting thin needles through the skin. Many studies have examined acupuncture’s effectiveness in treating pain, with results suggesting it can help with:

  • Chronic pain
  • Back pain
  • Neck pain
  • Osteoarthritis in the knee (with some evidence also supporting osteoarthritis in the hand or hip)
  • Migraine and tension headaches
  • Fibromyalgia

One 2018 study concluded that the positive effects of acupuncture continue over time, so this alternative medicine practice could be a good treatment option for long-term pain relief. Just make sure to choose a practitioner with training and experience working with your type of pain.

Person getting acupuncture procesdure

ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE: A HELPFUL TOOL FOR MANAGING PAIN

Talk with your health care provider about how alternative medicine options could work for you — especially when combined with other mainstream treatments. Make sure to ask any questions you have about safety or effectiveness. With an openness to trying new things and a positive attitude, you may be able to find new practices to help experience life’s excitement and everyday moments without having to power through pain.

Aleve Yellow Line
Aleve Yellow Line

References

  1. Kisling LA, Stiegmann RA. Alternative medicine. StatPearls Publishing.

  2. English C, Gallup. One in four adults sought care for neck/back pain last year.

  3. Rist PM, Hernandez A, Bernstein C, et al. The impact of spinal manipulation on migraine pain and disability: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Headache. 2019;59(4):532-542. doi: 10.1111/head.13501. 

  4. West M, Medical News Today. What to know about guided imagery.

  5. Giacobbi PR Jr, Stabler ME, Stewart J, Jaeschke AM, Siebert JL, Kelley GA. Guided imagery for arthritis and other rheumatic diseases: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Pain Manag Nurs. 2015;16(5):792-803. doi: 10.1016/j.pmn.2015.01.003.

  6. Elkins G, Jensen MP, Patterson DR. Hypnotherapy for the management of chronic pain. Int J Clin Exp Hypn. 2007;55(3):275-287. doi: 10.1080/00207140701338621.

  7. Zeidan F, Vago DR. Mindfulness meditation-based pain relief: a mechanistic account. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2016;1373(1):114-127. doi: 10.1111/nyas.13153.

  8. Ali B, Al-Wabel NA, Shams S, Ahamad A, Khan SA, Anwar F. Essential oils used in aromatherapy: a systemic review. Asian Pac J Trop Biomed. 2015;5(8):601-611. doi: 10.1016/j.apjtb.2015.05.007.

  9. Fung TKH, Lau BWM, Ngai SPC, Tsang HWH. Therapeutic effect and mechanisms of essential oils in mood disorders: interaction between the nervous and respiratory systems. Int J Mol Sci. 2021;22(9):4844. doi: 10.3390/ijms22094844.

  10. Lakhan SE, Sheafer H, Tepper D. The effectiveness of aromatherapy in reducing pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Pain Res Treat. 2016;2016:8158693. doi: 10.1155/2016/8158693. 

  11. Adams R, White B, Beckett C. The effects of massage therapy on pain management in the acute care setting. Int J Ther Massage Bodywork. 2010;3(1):4-11. PMID: 21589696. 

  12. Maistrello LF, et al. Effectiveness of trigger point manual treatment on the frequency, intensity, and duration of attacks in primary headaches: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Front Neurol. 2018;9. doi: 10.3389/fneur.2018.00254. 

  13. Cronkleton E, Healthline. What are the different types of massage?

  14. Lindberg S, Healthline. How to do tai chi. 

  15. Vickers AJ, Vertosick EA, Lewith G, et al. Acupuncture for chronic pain: update of an individual patient data meta-analysis. J Pain. 2018;19(5):455-474. doi: 10.1016/j.jpain.2017.11.005.

  16. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Chronic pain and complementary health approaches. 

Aleve Yellow Line
Aleve Yellow Line

RELATED CONTENT

A hand holds a bottle of Aleve® in front of a cozy yellow blanket

SLEEP AND PAIN RELIEF

LEARN MORE
The legs of a ballerina standing on pointe in front of windows in a dance studio. 

STRETCHES FOR PAIN RELIEF

LEARN MORE
A male home nurse is cooking in the kitchen of a cozy home.

MENTAL HEALTH AND SELF-CARE TIPS FOR PAIN MANAGEMENT

LEARN MORE